THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR
BRIDAL APPOINTMENT
Well firstly, CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement babe! This is such an exciting time for you and we are thrilled to be a part of the experience.
Wedding dress shopping can be a fun day out with your bride tribe, but don’t forget that can quickly be taken over by stress if you're not sure what to expect. We're here to make sure that your appointment is stress free and fun.
This page will guide you on the ins and outs of purchasing your dream bridal gown with Ivory & Beau. You'll find an ideal purchasing timeline that helps you get an idea of when to start shopping, planning alterations and doing final touch ups. We will also showcase what a typical appointment looks like and what to expect after you purchase. Click through to the final pages and we will answer some of our frequently asked questions. Everything you need to know is just a scrolls clicks away!
THE DRESS TIMELINE:
9-12 Months Before - We love to see brides shopping at this point. Book your appointment no later than 9 months out for your wedding, as shipping can take anywhere from 6 to 7 months! (If your wedding is less than 6 months away, don’t worry - we offer a range of aisle ready dresses too!)
We recommend 1 stop to shop, as we’ve found that the more shops brides go to and the more dresses you try on, the more confusing it can get to narrow down your favorites!
4-8 Months Before - So exciting! Your gown is being created with your selected designer. We get as close to your measurements as possible so your gown will be as close to perfect as we can get without alterations.
2-3 Months Before - Your first alterations appointment should be no later than 2 months out from your wedding. It is IMPORTANT to book ahead of time, as seamstress’s can book up far in advance!
1 Week Before - Pressing or Steaming the gown. Each gown requires different care. Be sure to ask your stylist before what they would recommend.
Night Before - Hang Gown high so that the train can fall overnight. Recommend to hit spots with a hand steamer if necessary.
The Big Day - Have Fun! Enjoy your wedding day! This is exactly what you have been waiting for.
1-4 Weeks After - Time to clean that dirty Gown, girl! Contact us about preservation kits. They will clean your gown and box it for future generations to look at and even wear!
Before your appointment:
Give us the deets!
Give us as much detail about what you are looking for as possible. You can even tell us what your wedding style/vibe is so that we can help match your gown to that!
What to Bring?
If you plan on wearing shapewear on your wedding day, feel free to bring it with you if you already have it. UNDERWEAR! You do not need to bring a bra, but please have underwear/panties on, or we’ll provide you with disposable ones, which no one wants!
Up to 5 or 6 of your favorite people. Ask the people that will help make this big decision easier for you, and that will make you feel supported throughout the process. Lastly, if you feel obliged, a nice bottle of champagne is always welcome. We have complimentary Ivory and Beau flutes to sip from!
Confirmation text/email -
Check your email and text messages as we will be in touch with lots of information, including links to instagram and Pinterest. Be sure to communicate your favorite dresses/designers with us. You can even send us screenshots or images of your favorites!
DURING THE APPOINTMENT:
Our standard bridal appointments are an hour and a half long. We start with 5-7 gowns to try on and then move forward from there. We’ll talk with you as you try on each gown to see what you like and dislike about each gown to help further refine your selections, and maybe pull an extra dress or two that we think you might like! Then, once you narrow the decision down to two gowns, we like to spice things up and add veils and accessories to help you get a full idea of what the gown could look like on your wedding day.
We pride ourselves on being different from other boutiques, we like to keep it casual and have fun. Most importantly, you and your party are the focus of this experience. We welcome everyone to look in the showroom, provide feedback and take as many photos as you want. It is our goal that you have a positive experience and walk away with no regrets about your purchase.
AFTER THE APPOINTMENT:
Let us know how it went and leave us a review! Share your experience with others, and be sure to give your bridal stylist a shoutout! Google reviews are how many brides find us and we would love to continue this with your help.
Check your text messages! We will be communicating with you often about estimated shipping dates, vendors and store information.
Book your alterations appointment! Once you have received your estimated shipping date, reach out to our favorite seamstress, Adrienne from Stitch Savannah, and book your appointment with the best in our area.
*PING* *PING* Girl, your dress is on the way! Time to get excited! We will be communicating directly with your selected designer, keeping an eye on tracking, and checking over the gown and making sure that it is perfect for pick up. We’ll then schedule a Pick-Up Appointment so you can try on your very own wedding dress - EEEEKK!!! After which, you can take the gown home and take it for any alterations that may be needed to make it perfect.
A week before the wedding, have your dress steamed! We offer professional steaming services, so reach out if you’d be interested in this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, please! Appointments are strongly encouraged to avoid any disappointment if our stylists are already in appointments when you arrive.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Click here, send us an e-mail ivoryandbeau@gmail.com or call us at (912) 200-4794.
How long is my appointment and how many people can I bring?
Appointments are 1.5 hours. We recommend inviting up to 5 guests with you who will be supportive through the dress shopping experience, and that will listen to you and your wants and needs, not their own!
Why do I have to have a credit card on file to make an appointment?
Due to high requests for Bridal Gown Appointments, these appointments now require a credit card to hold the reservation. We do not charge the card unless you fail to show up, cancel within 24 hours, or are more than 15 minutes late without prior notice. A fee of $40 dollars will be charged for any of these scenarios.
How far in advance should you buy your wedding dress?
We recommend purchasing/ordering no less than 9 months out from your event date. This is because some of our designers have estimated ship dates 6-7 months after your order. Alterations also can take 2-3 months.
If my wedding is less than 6 months away is it too late to get a dress?
NO! We have in-stock options and rush shipping options on a large quantity of our sample gowns. We also have a wide array of Aisle Ready gowns for purchase, with remarkable savings that are a limited time only! Keep in mind that the Aisle Ready gowns cannot be ordered as they are discontinued. This means you would purchase a dress closest to your size and if needed could get it altered. We recommend that you do not size up more than two dress sizes as this could change the look of the dress in alterations.
How much is the average wedding dress?
Our prices range from $1,200 to $4,000 with the average being around $2,000.
How do I pay for my wedding dress?
When purchasing your gown, we ask for 60% down to order the dress, although paying in full is always welcome! You would then pay the remaining balance upon pick up.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, cash (if the exact amount), check and money order. To your order dress we require a 60% deposit with the remaining 40% deposit due within 14 days of the gown arriving.
Do different designers have different estimated shipping dates for their gowns?
Yes! Our more local designers can typically ship more quickly than our out of country designers. However, the estimated shipping time depends more on the gown itself and the time of year you are ordering.
What is your size range?
We have sample size gowns ranging from size 6 to 24. To order your gown we take your measurements and will order based on designer size charts. It can be expected that all gowns will need alterations to get the perfect fit for your body as dresses are a standard size. Please note that bridal sizes are different to your standard dress size, so don’t be put off if your usual size range isn’t fitting quite right!
What are the main dress silhouettes?
We carry four different silhouettes at Ivory and Beau. They are: fit and flare, mermaid (trumpet), a line, and ball gown. Check out our Pinterest to take a closer look!
What options do I have for bridal accessories?
We have accessories galore. Ivory and Beau carries a wide variety of sashes, belts, head pieces, veils, overskirts, hair clips, gloves and detachable sleeves/bows.
Are veils still something brides purchase for their wedding?
Absolutely! It is a personal preference however. From fingertip to cathedral length, we have veils for all types of brides.
How many gowns can I try in my initial appointment?
We like to start with 5-7 gowns so that brides and their parties do not get overwhelmed. Once we have narrowed down your likes and dislikes, our expert stylists may pick a few more for you to try on based on all your favorite features!
Do the dresses only come in the sample colors?
No, for most of our gowns you can purchase/order them in a wide range of colors. Simply ask your stylist in the appointment if they can show you the other color options from the designer.
What do I need to wear (and what should I NOT wear)?
WHAT TO WEAR: Proper undergarments are a MUST!
BRA: Most people do not wear a bra while trying on gowns because the gowns have built in support which act as your bra. However, it is your decision! If you decide you are going to wear a bra while trying on gowns, please wear a nude strapless bra. This will help you best visualize how the gown will fit and look on your wedding day.
PANTIES: Required. We can not allow you to try on gowns without them. Full coverage, nude-colored are ideal.
SPANX: Our best friend! If you plan on wearing shapewear on your wedding day, bring some along, but they’re not required!
WHAT NOT TO WEAR: Please avoid doing the following as these will certainly damage the gowns:
SELF-TANNER or BODY MAKEUP: As tempting as it may be, avoid using self-tanner (even the ‘clear’ kind) the day of your appointment as well as the day before. This is the fastest way to discolor the gowns and believe us…your tan/body makeup WILL transfer.
HEAVY PERFUMES or PERFUMED LOTIONS: While you may smell fabulous, these gowns are likely to hold your scent (which others may not appreciate!). Also, some perfumes can cause discoloration of the fabric.
JEWELRY THAT CAN SNAG FABRICS: Rings, bracelets, and watches are most likely to snag the delicate fabric in gowns. If possible, it’s best to go without!
What should I expect in the fitting room?
When it's time to try on your selected gowns, your stylist will be there every step of the way to instruct you and adjust the gown so that it best fits you.
Am I allowed to bring kids to my appointment?
We LOVE kids! We absolutely allow kids in the shop, however, we do ask that they remain in your specific fitting room area (no roaming around the shop unattended). We want to take all precautions to ensure the safety of your children in case of injury. If any of our furniture, decor etc, or inventory including bridal gowns are damaged, your credit card on file will be charged. We want to ensure that you have the most relaxed experience, however, we also want to make it a safe environment as well.
Do I need to get my dress altered?
We recommend most brides meet with our seamstress to get her professional opinion on alterations. Most brides however, will need a hem.
Do you offer in-store alterations?
YES we do! We are so thrilled to have Adrienne of Stitch Savannah for in-house alterations. To make your alterations appointment, check out her website for more info. We also have other alteration sources for reference, just ask!
How will I know what size dress to order?
Once you find your dress, our stylist takes your measurements to ensure that we order the perfect size per your designer's size chart. Keep in mind that bridal sizes typically run differently than standard street clothes. Each size chart runs by the measurements taken and our stylists recommend the size they think would be the best for you!
What if I live out of state?
No problem! We can ship your gown to you within the USA (50% of our brides are from out of state!).
What is your return policy?
All sales are final and deposits are non-refundable.
Do you provide steaming services?
We can help with steaming, depending on the fabric of the gown. Email ivoryandbeau@gmail.com for more information.
I'm also interested in wedding planning and flowers, can we do that during my appointment too?
Our favorite thing ever is when our brides get their dress, flowers, and wedding planning from Ivory & Beau! During your appointment request make sure to mention your interest so that someone from our design team can join in!